BET1UANS, or 13EcnuA'NAs, the name of an extensive nation of southern Africa, occupying the country between 23' and 29' e. long., and extending from 28' s. lat. north ward beyond the tropic of Capricorn. The 13. are generally of a peaceful, indeed cow ardly disposition, and are divided into many tribes under the government of chiefs, who exercise a kind of patriarchal authority over them. According to Dr. Livingstone, the different tribes take their names from certain animals, " showing probably that in for mer times they were addicted to animal worship. The term Bakatla means they of the monkey;' Baktiena, 'they of the alligator;' Battlpi, 'they of the fish ;' each tribe having a superstitious dread of the animal after which it is called. They also use the word ' bina,' to dance, in reference to the custom of thus naming themselves, so that when yon wish to ascertain what tribe they belong to, you say, ' What do you dance?' It would seem as if that had been part of the worship of old." Many tribes formerly existing are extinct, as is evident from the names that have now no living r•presentatives. The
13. have a vague notion of a supreme being, hut no intelligent idea of his attributes. Dr. Livingstone describes the tribe to which he attached himself—the Bakuena or Bak wains—who are favorable specimens of the nation, as generally slow "in coming to a decision on religious subjects; but in questions concerning their worldly affairs they are keenly alive to their own interests." In all agricultural matters they are very acute, exhibiting- a wonderful knowledge of the properties of the soil, as well as of the. nature and habits of animals. They haven superstitious reverence for a class of imposters call ing themselves " rain-doctors," who profess to be able to bring down rain in dry seasons by a certain specific, composed of all kinds of disgusting animal and vegetable sub stances. One peculiarity of the B. is their inability to build their houses square; all erections take a circular form.